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The research IS mixed and there are many unanswered questions. However, there is enough evidence to bring many experts to call for more precaution, especially in siting wireless digital infrastructure near homes, which creates involuntary long term exposures. In 2011, the International Agency on Research on Cancer, a part of the World Health Organization convened an independent expert committee to review the available scientific and medical evidence on radiofrequency radiation. This group recommended to the WHO that it classify radiofrequency radiation from all sources, incuding cell antennas, as possibly carcinogenic, which the WHO did. The strongest scientific evidence was based on epidemiological studies that link cell phone use to two types of cancers - glioma and acoustic neuroma. Ten years earlier, the WHO classified electrical power (50-60 hertz) from all sources, not just power lines, as possibly carcinogenic due to the strong epidemiological link between exposure and leukemia. Cancer rates are increasing according to recently reported studies and the Italian Supreme Court recently decided in favor of the plaintiff, who filed a lawsuit claiming that his use of a cell phone caused a brain tumor. See: http://microwavenews.com./news-center/ital….
Cell phone use is voluntary and periodic (the FDA/FCC exposure guidelines are based on avoiding heating of tissue and ignore the studies that demonstrate low intensity effects, without heat, for all radiofrequency radiation emitting devices and antennas) The studies showing biological markers that are precoursers to disease due to RF exposure and increased rates of head and neck cancers among those who use cell phones. There are now studies being reported on communities where antennas have been in operation for a few years, such as the Brazilian study reported in the article which reported a higher than normal number of cancer deaths associated to the cellular antennas. Radiating antennas create an uncontrolled environmental exposure condition for communities, placing people's health at risk. Some people are neurologically more susceptible to harm than other and can become hypersensitive. These people may have to shield their homes or search for a safer place to live if that cell tower is installed at St. Francis Cabrini Church. If the National Institutes of Health acts to include electromagnetic fields on their list of preventive health issues, it will send a signal that NIH is finally acknowledging the risks already recognized by many other nations of the world, including Israel, Switzerland, Italy, Russia, UK, Belgium, India and Taiwan. Smart meters are part of the smart grid infrastructure being deployed rapidly across Arizona, the US and the world. These wireless digital meters pose similar health risks. There are safer ways to design and manufactur communications technologies than using wireless digital signals. Let's keep listening and educating...a demonstration of citizen's political will would be a highly motivating force behind those elected officials who understand the risks and want to take a stand.

The AT&T cell tower proposed for Robbins Elementary School on the west side of Tucson around 2007 was not installed after the TUSD Governing board learned about the potential health risks associated with long term exposure, especially for yong children, from the parents and EMF experts. This cell tower and other nearby cell tower proposals that followed were debated for about 2 years with strong local residential neighborhood opposition. The FCC recommends siting antennas in commercial and industrial, but not in residential neighborhoods. See: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vpYjjRv2sG0. In 2009, the Pima County Supervisors adopted an EMF Resolution (2009-No.188) expressing their concern for the health and safety of their constituents; acknowledging that there is cause for concern about exposure to cell towers; acknowledging that the FCC human exposure guidelines are inadequate to protect health; and, calling for Congress to repeal the federal laws that preempt local control over the siting and management of "wireless communications facilities."

There is over 6 decades of published science demonstrating how electromagnetic fields, manmade and naturally occuring, interact with biology and where overexposure can damage living cells is well established. See The BioInitiative Report (www.bioinitaitive.org) prepared by 24 scientists and medical doctors . See the International Commission on Electromagnetic Safety (www.icems.eu). The FCC's radiofrequency exposure guidelines are only based on avoiding a heating effect of tissue based on up to 30 minutes of public exposure and do not protect workers or the general public against adverse health effects due to chronic exposure to increased levels of electrical/microwave pollution. Occupational studies show that telecommunications and electrical workers and military personnel are the most at risk. A.M. Best, the top liability expert for the insurance industry world wide warns "The continued exponential growth of cellular towers will significantly increase exposure to these workers and others coming into close contact with high-energy cell phone antenna radiation. Occupational studies are often give indications on what studies on the general population would show later as workers are more exposed to toxic agents" (http://ambest.com). Studies on comunities where there are cell phone antennas show increased rates of disease due to chronic exposure to antennas at a distance of 1640 feet or more. The World Health Organization classifies non-ionizing radiation from all sources, including electrial power and communications purposes, as a possible human carcinogen. Cell towers do not belong in residential neighborhoods. Precaution is advised as a preventive measure.